Clutching mechanism



5.1m. 27 193$. FlSCHER CLUTCHING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 8, 1938 -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 45/1/0412 f/isc/ -xf/ Mme 27, 193% FISCHER cLuTcame MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1938 Patented June 27, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFECE CLUTCHING MECHANISM New York Application February 8, 1938, Serial No. 189,460

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a clutching mechanism for intermittently clutching the operating shaft of a machine to its prime mover, and is designed primarily for use in connection with the operating shaft of a stapling machine, but it is to be understood that the clutching mechanism, in accordance with this invention, is for use in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

it is well known that clutches of the class to which this invention belongs and constructed with brakes are objectionable in that if the brake becomes saturated with oil, the machine with which the brake is employed can turn over after the brake has been applied, or if not, it will create a rattling noise and the operation of the machine must be stopped to repair the brake. To overcome the aforesaid objections is one of the aims of this invention, and to this end the clutch in accordance with this invention is of the type which does not require separate or special brake mechanisms.

The invention has for its object to provide, in manner as hereinafter set forth, a clutching mechanism for intermittently controlling the operation of the operating shaft of a machine.

The invention has for its further object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an automatically releasable clutching mechanism for controlling the operation of the operating shaft of a machine.

The invention has for its further object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a clutching mechanism for controlling the stapling cycle of a stapling machine.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a clutching mechanism for the purpose referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily installed with respect to a prime mover for a shaft which is driven from the latter, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently repaired when occasion requires, and comparative- 45 ly inexpensive to set up.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a clutch of the non-repeating type.

The invention also aims to provide, in a man- 50 ner as hereinafter set forth, a non-repeating brakeless clutch having no backlash whereby the clutch is expeditiously thrown into action by less power than what is required by a clutch of the type including a brake and subject to backlash. The invention likewise aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a brakeless clutch having a safety stop.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a brakeless clutch having a positive non-repeat stop or backlash stop.

Embodying the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention con sists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as Will be more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a clutching mechanism in accordance with this. invention showing the installation thereof, by way of example, With 7 respect to the operating shaft of a stapling machine,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the clutching mechanism,

Figures 3, i, and 6 are respectively sections on lines 3-3, 4- 3, 5-5, and t6 Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a section on line 1-1 Figure 1 illustrating the clutching mechanism in non' driving position,

Figure 8 is a section on line 8--8 Figure 7, Figure 9 is a section on line 99 Figure 7, Figure 10 is a section on line 6-1 Figure 1 with the clutching mechanism in driving position,

Figure 11 is a section on line 8-1 Figure 1 illustrating the parts of the clutching mechanism as they appear immediately after the clutching mechanism has been shifted from driving position, and

Figure 12 is a section on line I2-l2 Figure 11.

With reference to the drawings, I indicates the operating shaft of a machine and by way of example, such shaft is the operating shaft of a stapling machine 2. The shaft l includes a portion 3 which is extended laterally from the upper portion of the machine 2. The latter is provided with a bearing sleeve 4 formed with an annular flange 5 having an annular boss 6 on its outer face. The bearing 4 extends into the machine 2. The flange 5 abuts the body of the machine (Figure 8). The boss 6 is .of materially less diameter than the flange 5. The shaft I extends through and outwardly from hearing 4.

Abutting against the boss 6 is a sleeve I formed at its outer end with an annular flange 8. The portion 3 of shaft I extends through the sleeve i and projects outwardly from the latter. The sleeve l corresponds in diameter to the diameter of the boss 6 and is secured to the portion 3 of shaft i by a pin 8* anchored in and disposed diametrically of shaft I and sleeve 7. The latter is also secured to shaft l by a set screw 9. The outer end terminal part of the portion 3 of shaft i has mounted thereon a collar ill which is fixed- 1y secured to shaft 9 by a pin it extending through and disposed diametrically of shaft i and collar ill. The latter is also secured to shaft i a set screw !2. Mounted on shaft portion 3 between the sleeve i and the collar it] is a tubular bushing 53 abutting at its ends said sleeve 'l and collar iii.

Revol bly mounted on the bushing 63 is a groove pulley it and the annular ratchet element E5 of the clutching mechanism. The pulley is operated by any suitable belt transmission and is tei d the prime mover for the shaft 2. The pulley it is formed with a hub 25 extended outwardly over one of the web ll of the pulley. The hub l5 extends to the coll-r it. The inner side of the web it is formed w h an annular collar iii. The hub is mounted directly on bushing 3. The collar it is spaced from the bushing i3 and provides the pulley i l with a Circular recess 29. The ratchet element is of greater leng'h than the depth of recess if The element 55 has an end portion seated in recess i9 and said element i of a length to extend from the base of recess it to the sleeve '3. The latter and collar i=3 confines the pulley i i and element iii on the bushing E3. The pulley and element u revolve in unison and revolve about the bushing E3.

The pulley is formed with a pair of spaced parallel openings 2% which extend from the base of the recess 39 to the outer end of the hub iii. The body of. the pulley M is formed with a pair of parallel spaced threaded sockets 2i which open at the base of recess 59. The element iii is provided with a of spaced parallel openings extending from the inner to the outer face of such element and registering with the openings Extending through the openings 22 and engaging in the openings are securing ins ill for connecting pulley i i and element iii together. The latter is formed with a of spaced parallel countersunk openings 25 extending from the rear to the front of said element 55 and registering with the sockets 2i. Countersunk in the element ill and extending through the openings as well as engaging with the walls of the sockets 23 are holdfast means 25 which also act to secure the pulley i-l and element 85 together. The pins and holdfast means 235 maintain the element iii in abutting relation with respect to the pulley i i.

The ratchet element 35 has its edge formed with spaced ratchets '26 which are slightly inclined in the direction of revolution of the elenent ltla The element is formed with edge facets El inclining inwardly from their upper to their lower ends and merging at their lower ends into the inner ends of the ratchets 2G. The element to is formed with the curved edge of facets 28 which extend from the outer ends of facets ill to the outer ends of the ratchets 2G. The diameter of the element 65 is materially less than the diameter of the pulley i l. The element i5 is arranged coaxially with the pulley M.

The clutching mechanism includes the sleeve l which bodily revolves with the shaft :1. Secured to the flange 8 of the sleeve '2 and extend towards the pulley it is a pivot 29 for the awl 3d of the clutching mechanism. The pawl.

ii coacts with the element E5.

The sleeve l is formed with an integral lat-- eral extension 33 which is integral with the rear face of the flange 52 and forms the latter with an enlarged part provided with an opening 22 for the passage of, the pivot for the pawl The enlarged part of the flange 3, indicated at 33 has a threaded opening 3- disposed at right angles to the opening 32 and a set screw 35 is nounted in opening for the purpose of fixedly securing pin Ell from movement with res set to sleeve 2. The pivot 22 at its outer end is provide with a head 35.

The pawl Si! is formed of an upper end portion 3?, a lower end portion 38 and an i termed-late portion 39. The latter is provided wi h an opening fit for the passage of the shank of the pivot 29. formed with a forwardly directed nose 1-2 for engaging a ratchet 28 for the purpose of clutching the sleeve '5 with the pulley wheeoy the shaft 5 and pulley M will revolve in unison. The rear lengthwise edge of the portion 33 of pawl 3 is provided with a semi-circular cut-out ing a gullet for receiving a spring controlled stop plunger structur to be hereinafter re erred to. The pawl 3t normally tends to gage a ratchet 25, but such movement is arrested by the plunger structure i l and this will be hereinafter more fully explained. The means which tends to normally force the pawl 38 to engage a ratchet 2% consists of a coiled spring surrounding shank ll of pivot 2d and interposed between the head 35 of shank ll and the forward face of pawl 36. One end of the spring is anchored into the shank M as indicated at and the other end of the spring is anchored as at i? to a headed pin or screw '53 secured in the portion I3 of the pawl 3d The tension of the spring d5 may be adjusted and for such purpose the shank M, rearwardly of the enlargement a diametrically disposed opening ll; for the re ception of a tool for rotating pivot 22 when screw 35 is shifted to release the latter. After the ten-- sion of the spring it has been adjusted, the shank ll of pivot 29 is to be held stationary by the binding engagement therewith of the pin 35.

The clutching mechanism includes a stop 59 for arresting the movement of the portion 38 of the pawl 39 in a direction towards the element 4''. The stop le is carried by the flange 8 of sleeve 1 and is formed with a fiat facet es arranged in the path of the forward side edge of the said portion 38. The stop 39 is employed to arrest the upward movement of the portion 38 of the pawl 39 when the latter is shifted by the structure 64 to release pawl Si from engagement with the element iii. The portion 88 of the pawl as depends beyond the edge of the flange 8 of sleeve l.

The structure 441 is horizontally disposed and mounted in the socket 5! which may be provided by a socket forming element capable of being attached to the machine or it may be formed in a part of the body of the machine and is shown, by way of example as being formed in the body of the machine. That portion of the body of the machine which forms the socket 55 is provided with a. lengthwise slot 52. The structure l l includes a plunger element 53 having an inwardly opening socket and between the base wall of the latter and the inner wall of socket 55 is positioned a coiled controlling spring 55 for the element 53.

The portion 3i of the pawl is The latter at its outer end has a reduced head 56 of circular cross section and which is encompassed by hearing means 57. The element 53 has attached thereto a radially disposed abutment 58 of rod like form extended through the slot 52 and arranged in the path of the releasing structure 59 of the coupling mechanism. The structure 59 includes an upwardly inclined lever arm 56 which is pivotally connected at its lower end as at 6| to a support 52. The upper end of the arm is rabbeted to form a shoulder 63 and a seat 64. Mounted on the support 62 is a bearing 66 through which extends a rock shaft 6?. Spacing collars 68 are arranged on shaft 61 at each side of bearing 66. The shaft 5? is disposed at right angles with respect to the path of the plunger element 53 of the structure M and below the latter. The outer end of shaft 51 adjacent collar 68 has fixed thereto one end of a curved rock arm 59. The other end of the arm 53 has a threaded opening it in which is secured the threaded inner terminal portion of the shank H of a headed bolt it. The head of the bolt is spaced from the arm 59 and extending between the head of bolt 12 and arm 69 is the seat 6 at the upper end of the lever 60. The seat Ed is mounted on the shank of the bolt ii. The inner end of the shaft 61 adjacent the other collar 68 has secured thereto the lower end of an upstanding shifting arm 13 having its upper end terminal reduced and its rear lengthwise edge formed with a groove M for receiving the abutment 58. The base of groove 14 permanently bears against the abutment 58 adjacent the upper end of the latter. The upper terminal portion of the arm 13 rides against that side of the part forming the socket 5! provided with a slot 52. Pivotally connected to the lever 69 at a point between its vertical median and its lower end, as at 75 is the upper end of a pull rod H3 operated by any suitable means, but preferably by a foot treadle not shown.

The normal position of the head 56 of the element 53 is within the gullet 43 and which maintains the pawl 30 in the position as shown in Figure '7. When lever 513 is operated by the pull rod 16 in a direction whereby the upper end of such lever will be lowered, the rock arm 69 is carried downwardly and which in turn will rock shaft 5'! thereby moving the arm 73 in a rearward direction carrying the abutment 58 therewith whereby the head 5% of the plunger element'53 will be moved clear of the gullet 43 and clear of the portion 38 of the pawl 38, and the spring 45 will then act to move pawl 30 to engage the edge of element i5 and as element i5 is revolving with the pulley M, the nose 22 will engage a ratchet 25 and provide for the clutching of sleeve 1 to the pulley M and the result will be the operation of the shaft i in unison with the pulley l4.

Immediately after the upper end of the lever has been lowered, the pull rod 18 is released and the structure M will automatically assume the position shown in Figure 11 and as pawl 30 bodily moves with sleeve l the portion 38 of pawl 30 will have its rear edge contact with the plunger head 56 and pawl 30 will be moved clear of element l5 to the position shown in Figure 11. After pawl 30 has been shifted to the position shown in Figure 11, the spring 45 will shift the pawl 39 to the position shown in Figure 7, but the wall of the gullet d3 contacting with plunger head 56 will hold the member 3c in the position as illustrated by Figure 7. The stop 49 locks the pawl 30 relative to the plunger 44 when the pawl is carried over too far due to momentum. The pawl then slips back and assumes the position shown in Figure 7, that is overlapping the plunger M, and which is the inactive position of the clutch. This arrangement provides the non-repeat feature of the clutch, because the latter cannot pass with the stop 49* unless the plunger 44 is withdrawn. When the small incline of the lower end portion 38 of the pawl 30 strikes against the plunger 44, the clutch is disengaged, the momentum carries pawl 39 over andwhen the highest point of such incline is reached it causes gullet 43 to drop over plunger M, as shown in Figure '7. If the momentum carries pawl 39 further, the pawl will lock dead against stop it and then drift back into the position shown in Figure '7.

What I claim is:

1. In a clutching mechanism, a ratchet element adapted to be secured to and bodily carried witha revoluble driving element, a revoluble driven element arranged in juxtaposition to said ratchet element, a normally stationary headed pivot mounted in and extended from said driven element, releasable means for normally holding said pivot stationary, said pivot capable of being revolved when said means is released, a pawl loosely mounted intermediate its ends on said pivot, controlling spring on said pivot having one end fixed to the pawl and its other end to the pivot, said pivot when revolved adjusting the tension of said spring, said spring permanently tending to have one terminal portion of the pawl engaging with the ratchet element for clutching the driven element with the driving element, the other end terminal portion of said pawl being extended from said pivot element, a retractible and automatically extendible plunger element for coaction with the said other end terminal portion to provide for releasably holding the pawl in a predetermined position of disengagement with respect to'the ratchet element and "for tripping the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet element, and means for retracting the plunger element for releasing the pawl whereby the latter will engage the ratchet element.

2. In a clutching mechanism, a ratchet element adapted to be secured to and bodily carried with a revoluble driving element, a revoluble driven element arranged in juxtaposition to said ratchet element, a normally stationary headed pivot mounted in and extended from said driven element, releasable means for normally holding said pivot stationary, said pivot capable of being revolved when said means is released, a pawl loosely mounted intermediate its ends on said pivot, a controlling spring on said pivot having one end fixed to the pawl and its other end to the pivot, said pivot when revolved adjusting the tension of said spring, said spring permanently tending to have one terminal portion of the pawl engaging with the ratchet element for clutching the driven element with the driving element, the other end terminal portion of said pawl being extended from said pivot element, a retractible and automatically extendible plunger element for coaction with the said other end terminal portion to provide for releasably holding the pawl in a predetermined position of disengagement with respect to the ratchet element and for tripping the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet element, and means for retracting the plunger element for releasing the pawl whereby the latter will engage the ratchet element, the said other end terminal portion of the pawl being provided with a gullet to receive the plunger element.

3. In a clutching mechanism, a ratchet element adapted to be secured to and bodily carried with a revoluble driving element, a revoluble driven element arranged in juxtaposition to said ratchet element, a normally stationary headed pivot mounted in and extended from said driven ele ment, releasable means for normally holding said pivot stationary, said pivot capable of being revolved when said means is released, a pawl loosely mounted intermediate its ends on said pivot, a controlling spring on said pivot having one end fixed to the pawl and its other end to the pivot, said pivot when revolved adjusting the tension of said spring, said spring permanently tending to have one terminal portion of the pawl engaging with the ratchet element for clutching the driven element with the driving element, the other end terminal portion of said pawl being extended from said pivot element, a retractible and automatically extendible plunger element for coaction With the said other end terminal portion to provide for releasably holding the pawl in a predetermined position of disengagement with respect to the ratchet element and for tripping the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet element, means for retracting the plunger element for releasing the pawl whereby the latter will engage the ratchet element, and means on said driven element for limiting the extent of the movement of the pawl when tripped.

4. In a clutching mechanism, a ratchet element adapted to be secured to and bodily carried with a revoluble driving element, a revoluble driven element arranged in juxtaposition to said ratchet element, a normally stationary headed pivot mounted in and extended from said driven element, releasable means for normally holding said pivot stationary, said pivot capable of being re volved when said means is released, a pawl loosely mounted intermediate its ends on said pivot, a controlling spring on said pivot having one end fixed to the pawl and its other end to the pivot, said pivot when revolved adjusting the tension of said spring, said spring permanently tending to have one terminal portion of the pawl engaging with the ratchet element for clutching the driven element with the driving element, the other end terminal portion of said pawl being extended from said pivot element, a retractible and automatically extendible plunger element for coacticn with the said other end terminal portion to provide for releasably holding the pawl in a predetermined position of disengagement with respect to the ratchet element and for tripping the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet element, and means for retracting the plunger element for releasing the pawl whereby the latter will engage the ratchet element, said pawl being disposed in an upstanding position and having its front edge formed with a nose to engage the ratchet element and its rear edge formed with a gullet to receive the plunger element.

5. In a clutching mechanism, a ratchet element adapted to be secured to and bodily carried with a revoluble driving element, a revoluble driven element arranged in juxtaposition to said ratchet element, a normally stationary headed pivot mounted in and extended from said driven element, releasable means for normally holding said pivot stationary, said pivot capable of being revolved when said means is released, a pawl loosely mounted intermediate its ends on said pivot, a controlling spring on said pivot having one end fixed to the pawl and its other end to the pivot, said pivot when revolved adjusting the tension of said spring, said spring permanently tending to have one terminal portion of the pawl engaging with the ratchet element for clutching the driven element with the driving element, the other end terminal portion of said pawl being extended from said pivot element, a retractible and automatically extendible plunger element for coaction with the said other end terminal portion to provide for releasably holding the pawl in a predetermined position of disengagement with respect to the ratchet element and for tripping the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet element, and means for retracting the plunger element for releasing the pawl whereby the latter will engage the ratchet element, the axis or" said plunger element being disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the axis of the driven element.

6. In a clutching mechanism, a ratchet element adapted to be secured to and bodily carried with a revoluble driving element, a revoluble driven. element arranged in juxtaposition to said ratchet element, a normally stationary headed pivot mounted in and extended from said driven element, releasable means for normally holding said pivot stationary, said pivot capable of being revolved when said means is released, a pawl loosely mounted intermediate its ends on said pivot, a controlling spring on said pivot having one end fixed to the pawl and its other end to the pivot, said pivot when revolved adjusting the tension of said spring, said spring permanently tending to have one terminal portion of the pawl engaging with the ratchet element for clutching the driven element with the driving element, the other end terminal portion of said pawl being extended from said pivot element, a retractible and automatically extendible plunger element for c-oaction with the said other end terminal portion to provide for releasably holding the pawl in a predetermined position of disengagement with respect to the ratchet element and for tripping the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet element, and means for retracting the plunger element for releasing the pawl whereby the latter will engage the ratchet element, the axis of said plunger element being disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the axis of said driven element.

ARNOLD FERDINAND FISCHER. 

